HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Will !!

I'm SO glad you stayed in Ohio all those years ago when the rest of your family moved to other States.  I know you missed all of them and visited when you could, but it was great to have you close by.  You were close with everyone in my family, and you were our connection to the rest of your family.

You've always been kind, loving, and appreciative of your relatives.  Thank you for being the BEST cousin and a GREAT guy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Tom !!

I'm happy we've reconnected.  Having lived only a few blocks apart in Canton and then being friends at Kent State, I think we waited long enough (45+ years) to be in touch again.  I am really looking forward to our meet-up and tour to reminisce at KSU.  Have a great day, and may this next year bring you only good things. 

I am enjoying your Throwback Thursday posts on fb.  Keep them coming!

"Shine On"

Wow!  I LOVE this painting.  It arrived today.  I purchased it from Kristen Powers, who paints spectacular moons.  I am SO happy to add "Shine On" to my collection.

Good Morning World

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Lulu !!! 

Sending love to my dear Canadian friend on your special day.  It has been a rough year for you, but you've made the most of it and always kept a positive outlook.  Along with my love, I send wishes for the BEST kind of day and for the next year to be smooth going with joy, surprises, and zero health issues!

Jake

Jake asleep in his nest right next to me on the couch last night.

A Special Christmas Card

This is my favorite Christmas card this year.  I received this from my sweet friend, Pam, who lives in South Carolina.  She painted this Madonna/Angel and wrote dear words on the reverse to me.  It is 4-1/2" x 5-3/4" in size and I am going to frame and hang it.

The day I stepped into that little shop in downtown Charleston was a lucky day for me.  Little did I know I would make a new friend who I would one day treasure.  

Thank you, Pam.  I dearly love this little work of art!
~~~~~~~ 
I posted this on facebook.  This was Pam's reply:
Pam Aries Oh Audrey! Thank you..I am so glad ! You are one of the sweetest people I know. I enjoyed creating this ...I know how much you love her ! . It was such a pleasure meeting you . Some things are just meant to be.

Full Cold Moon

The Christmas 2015 Full Cold Moon

The last time we had a full moon on Christmas was 1977!!  And, tonight's full moon has a lunar halo.  I just took this photo at midnight and was thrilled to see the lunar halo.  I've not seen one ever before.

A lunar halo is caused by the refraction, reflection, and dispersion of light through ice particles suspended within thin, wispy, high altitude  cirrus or cirrostratus clouds.  The phenomenon of a lunar halo is similar to a rainbow produced by sunlight and rain falling between your eye and the sun.

Weather lore says a lunar halo is the precursor of impending unsettled weather, especially during the winter months.  This is often proved true, as cirrus and cirrostratus clouds generally precede rain and storm systems.

The Problem!

Christmas Love

My good friend Bruno in Ohio, sends me a box filled with yummy Italian treats every Christmas.  And, Susie's yearly box of home baked cookies arrived, as well.  I have the BEST friends!

Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse

Fun dinner with friends at Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse tonight.

Audrey and Terry, Lindsay and Jeff, Mark and Amy, Back Row - Allen and April, Guest with Travis.

Winter Solstice 2015

May we all join in the spirit of the Mongolian WINTER SOLSTICE tradition this year by purifying our hearts, by eliminating our grudges, by turning away from our guilt, and by leaving gifts of joy under the mother tree, which is humanity.  May you have a happy Winter Solstice and may we leave the darkness behind us as the sun is resurrected once again.

I found the Iroquois way of celebrating Winter Solstice to be very interesting.

While Celtic people celebrated Winter Solstice with feasts, some Native American tribes saw this unique celestial event in a different light.  Among the Iroquois, it was a time of dreaming.

Rather than staying up all night to celebrate the dawn, the People of the Longhouse turned in early, to sleep, to dream.

As Mother Nature reigned supreme, in dreaming they walked between the worlds of light and darkness, gathering great meaning from what The Great Mystery illuminated for them.

At first light, the entire tribe would gather and each tribal member - men, women, to the smallest child - would stand and relate what visions they saw on this special night.

This information was found at Leon's Planet on the web.

Total Surprise

I bought this plant at a yard sale in 2008 when we lived in SC.  It has stayed green and beautiful for 7 years.  I went to water it the other day and I was shocked to see FLOWERS!  I don't even know what this plant is, but it continues to make me happy.

Update:  I have found out that this is a clivia.  Clivia plants are native to South Africa.  The attraction to clivia plants can be found in their stunning blooms, which vary in color from pale orange to red.  The fragrant, trumpet-like flowers are similar to that of amaryllis, but smaller.  Unlike the amaryllis, clivias retain their foliage year round. 

Mourning Doves

Today, it's Mourning Doves having an early morning party!

They are on our roof all the time and sometimes they startle me when they all swoop down at once, passing in front of my studio window, headed to the birdbath or to eat seeds that have fallen from the feeder.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Isabella !!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Holly!!

Nativity Scenes

How thrilled I was to see these two Nativities tonight.  I haven't seen a Nativity outdoors for many years.  I used to take photos of them and keep them in an album. Years have passed where I've not seen any ~ not even in front of churches.  God bless the people in Salem where I saw both of these.

Blue Jay

This morning's visitor!!

Across the street late this afternoon.

First Born

My Christmas gift to me!!!  

"First Born" ~ an original painting collage by Mary Boxley Bullington ~ on a 10" x 20" wood box frame.  I love it.

Mary, Did You Know? is one of my absolute favorite Christmas songs.  Enjoy this beautiful piece sung by Peter Hollens.

A Box of Love

:

The postman carried a big box of LOVE to my door today ~ a surprise from Lulu!  Summing up all the joy in my heart into this space ~ impossible!

I expressed my joy and thanks to Lulu moments after opening all of this.  It was like Christmas for me today!

Lulu has a heart of gold and she said the perfect thing when I asked if I could share this:  "It's the time to share happiness!!"  

How beautiful is that?

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception   

The Immaculate Conception, according to the teaching of the Catholic Church, was the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne, free from original sin by virtue of the foreseen merits of her son Jesus Christ.

Every year about this time, these three deer sneak out of our garage and place themselves in the front yard to enjoy the Christmas Season!  While enjoying pleasant weather last night, they pondered if they would see any snow this year.

I should make a list of all the different birds that stop here to bathe, drink, or play.  I've seen everything from a Hawk to the smallest songbird.  Today, Mr. Crow stopped by.

After three days of rain and gloom, this little Bluebird is just as happy as I am to see the sun today.

Prayer

Roanoke's I-581 Snowman

Here he is - same snowman, same spot every year, smiling big yesterday on the unbelievable 70 degree overcast day!

The Beaver Moon

Our full November moon on Friday night!!

Thanksgiving 2015

In spite of this cold that just will not go away, I had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with Casey, Amanda, Terry, and Amanda's family at The Natural Bridge Hotel.  The foyer was beautifully decorated for the Holidays.

Two Exciting Hours With Casey

  Having been sick and not out of the house since November 7th (even though not 100% better and looking a bit pale and windblown) I was not going to miss the opportunity to have lunch with my son.  He flew into Roanoke at 12:30 yesterday.  

 His Approach - Right over the Roanoke Star

A wonderful young man who works at the airport - Steve - kindly escorted me onto the field so I could have a good view and take good photos.  This was my first time seeing Casey in action.

 Steve commented that it was a nice smooth landing for being so windy.

 Approaching to park the plane.

 My son, the pilot!!

 We had a fun visit during lunch at Abuelo's Mexican Embassy and then it was time to head back to the airport.

 Waiting for takeoff.

Headed back to Charleston, SC.